Happy October, kings! October is Emotional Wellness Month and we want to encourage men to take care of themselves emotionally, and gain a better understanding of their feelings. We all experience stress from time to time; it’s an inevitable part of life. We know you kings live a busy life, and wear many different hats at work and home. The stress of juggling everything can be overwhelming and exhausting. What really matters is how we handle stress when it occurs and having a solid set of coping strategies in place. Knowing the root cause of our stress allows us to identify the appropriate response to tackle the problem. Here’s how you can effectively relieve some of the stress in your life:
Meditation
We experience stress when we have a boatload of thoughts floating around in our minds. One minute our mind is focused on an upcoming work deadline, and the next it jumps over to family responsibilities. When this happens, we often ask ourselves the question: Is there a way to turn off the noise? Engaging in mindfulness techniques such as meditation allows for us to turn down the volume of our thoughts and sit with a clear head for a moment. Maybe you’ve heard of meditation before but you’re not really sure what it entails and actually does. Essentially, meditation is a practice where you focus the mind and eliminate any distractions. If you’ve never tried meditation before and don’t know where to start, YouTube is filled with guided practices and there are a plethora of apps available to download. There are different forms of meditation to choose from; find the one that works for you. Simply try meditating for five minutes a day, in the morning or night, to begin your journey.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries can be difficult to implement into our lives. We often find ourselves wanting to do everything and burn out in the process of trying to do so. There are different types of boundaries that we can set in order to manage stress: physical, emotional, and time-related. Maybe you set a physical boundary with others when you need some alone time to self-reflect and relax. For example, you might set a physical boundary when you meditate. Maybe you set an emotional boundary when you have a full plate and have to decline a request. Remember, it’s okay to say no. If something is going to amplify your anxiety and stress, choose to protect your peace. Lastly, you may set a time-related boundary to promote a healthy work-life balance. If you find yourself overworked, avoid checking your emails outside of work hours. You don’t have to be available to work 24/7; take time for yourself.
Create a Routine
When we wake up in the morning and don’t have a set plan for the day, we can become flustered and start to scramble trying to get everything together. If you visualize and create a plan the night before, you’ll alleviate the stress of the unknown. A consistent routine provides structure and predictability, which can help a loaded day feel more manageable. Having a set time of exercise, work, free time, and family time allows you to transition through your day with ease.
Engaging in Hobbies
When we’re feeling an overwhelming amount of stress, it can be difficult to prioritize ourselves and what makes us truly happy. We tend to focus only on the negative and ignore the positive. Even in difficult moments, it’s important to create time for yourself and engage in activities that fulfill you. Set a designated time for you to engage in your hobbies – whether it’s playing sports, cooking at home, or reading. This time allows you to take a much needed break from life’s stressors and tackle the rest of your to-do’s when you’re feeling refreshed.
Stress is a natural part of life and can be triggered by external and internal factors. When the signs of stress start to creep in, utilize these coping strategies to become more resilient and improve your quality of life. Invest in yourself – you’re worth it.
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